The cha-cha-cha is an exercise in the rhythm of the hips, from diagonal front to side. The basic dance steps always maintain the center of gravity that characterizes the jazz step, i.e., the center of gravity is on the leg that is straight, so that a compact and sharp step can be danced. It has a very important foot movement, with the ball of the foot collapsing up and the instep topping out when there is no center of gravity after the step up.
Steps/Methods
1. Time Step
Preparatory movement: center of gravity on the left foot, open the right foot. You can also put the right foot back, with the foot on the ground and the instep collapsed.
Step 1, bring the right foot back to the left foot, palms on the ground to change the center of gravity to the full foot.
Step 2, place your left foot in place and land on the ball of your foot to change your center of gravity to the full ball of your foot.
Step 3, right foot to the right, full paw.
Step 4, left foot and to the right, full paw.
Step 5, right foot continues to move to the right, left foot opens in place, paws on the ground, instep collapses.
Switch feet and do the same.
Rhythm and counting beats: 1 beat, 1 beat, half a beat, half a beat, 1 beat. (TWO THREE cha-cha-cha ONE).
Upper body movements: when moving the right foot, contract the left hand and extend the right hand. The reverse is the same.
Important: Hip movement from diagonal front to side.
When the right foot is retracted in step 1, the knee should be diagonally opposite the toe of the left foot.
When the left foot changes its center of gravity in place in step 2, the knee should also be facing the toe of the right foot.
2. Cuban Break Step
Preparatory movement: center of gravity on the right foot, open the left foot.
Step 1, step up diagonally in front of your left foot, turn your toes outward, center of gravity is between the two feet, the heel of the right leg behind you is off the ground, and your knee is close to your left foot, with a reverse movement.
Step 2, right foot in place for center of gravity right foot.
Step 3, left foot back.
Change direction, step up with right foot diagonally in front and do the same.
Rhythm and counting beats: cha-cha ONE, cha-cha ONE.
Upper body movement: as you step up with the left foot, press the right hand into the belly and extend the left hand.
When the right foot steps up, the left hand presses the abdomen and the right hand extends.
Or you can contract one hand and extend the other.
Important note:
The fixed-point turn turns a full circle, so one foot is immobile, fixed on the ground. Which direction you turn, you have to turn back to that direction, ***360°, do two turns to complete the movement, one is turned 180°, the center of gravity is turned between the two feet, and one is turned 180° in the back 2 beats when jumping and stepping, using the hands to drive and keep the head is an important part of the rotation.
Latin dance difficult movements, difficult in the rotation, a good Latin dancer must have good rotation ability.
New York Step
The 1st step of the New York Step has the center of gravity completely on the lead leg, and the center of gravity is between the two feet, forming a half center of gravity, and there is an outward opening of 1/16 on the step up.
Preparatory move: center of gravity on the right foot, open the left foot to form a paw-on-the-ground with the instep collapsing straight.
In step 1, turn the upper left foot 90° to the right, lean the right knee against the left knee, and open the right hand upward, palm facing down.
Step 2, shift your weight in place with your right foot.
Step 3, left foot comes back and turns 90° left.
Step 4, right foot in step with left foot.
In step 5, the left foot continues to move to the left, and the right foot opens up to form a paw-on-the-ground, with the instep collapsing straight.
Switch to step up with your right foot and do the same.
Rhythm and counting beats: 1 beat, 1 beat, half a beat, half a beat, 1 beat. (TWO THREE cha-cha-cha ONE)